Someone who is busier than you is running right now.

Late at night again...but it just will always stay my most productive time of the day...my brain turns on when the sun sets :)

Today was a nice day...and I am not looking forward to a long working-weekend...I've got to work Saturday and Sunday and yeah, not much of a weekend left. My only 'Off-time' is my dad's and his girlfriend's birthday party tomorrow night. I am excited for that because I can see my brothers again *yipieh* For all of you who don't know that yet: I've got three brothers and I love them dearly - we are all roughly 2 years apart with me being the 2nd oldest - and my brothers are the best blessings my parents could have given me! 

My brothers also workout quite a lot! My oldest brother ran 100km in total just in the month of April
My youngest brother is the fitness-boy, he loves to
workout at gym - muscles of steel...but yeah, that's how you get the ladies, right?! ;) And my younger brother does a little bit of everything, workouts, inline-skating etc. - it's in the family :) My dad played handball his whole life and my mom trained our first dog, even all the way up to the German championship...so I better get my bum up and do something to use these good genes ;)
I was really irritated yesterday! I planned to go for my run yesterday evening, but in Germany the weather was just plain annoying. It looked as if this enormous thunderstorm was about to start. Since I've been in one recently while jogging I didn't want to experience that again (pretty scary!) - so instead I just said I'd wait until the thunderstorm is over -I hate finding excuses and the weather should never be one of them, but in case of thunderstorms I got a bit more careful. So yes...I waited...and waited...and waited....but NOTHING happened. I heard thunder, I saw lightning and the sky was black...but the rain never came...so instead I waited and hoped it would pass. After having been patient for roughly 1 hour I decided to skip my jog and instead do a home-workout.
This picture was my motivation...these legs...so flippin' gorgeous! This is what a woman should look like...not skinny, not fat - but toned and fit...HEALTHY! So instead I worked tons of lunges, side planks, planks, sit-ups, push-ups (women!), crunches and all sorts of workouts to train my bum, calves, thighs and back (especially lower back). It wasn't as rewarding as my run - because I was still frustrated about the weather during my workout - but once I was sweaty and pink in my face I knew it was at least as necessary :) 

So today I was really superstoked that EVENTUALLY it had rained during the night...I knew today I'd run no matter what! And I did - it was still raining, but I just didn't care :) At least there weren't any signs for a thunderstorm.
Today's run was fantastic! I didn't check for how long I ran, but it must have been roughly about 8-9k. I ran for 55 minutes (without stopping, HA!) And the run was just SO beautiful! I don't like running the same path too many times, so instead I just chose to run 'as I felt'.
This got me to some really nice corners! I didn't want to run next to roads or where I'd see lots of people, so I just went on some forest trails (SO good!) and through meadows, next to little streams and...oh boy...I saw the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen in this town, it even brought happy tears to my eyes. It was so rewarding! The run was pretty mean at times because I happened to choose one with lots of hills in between - but then again this is what makes it interesting to me. Uphill, downhill and lots of little challenges along the way to keep me and my body busy. Half-way through the run I got SO tired and my right knee was acting up a bit, but I just didn't want to stop...I felt like I was on drugs...so instead I just slowed down a bit and concentrated on my core and controlling how I balanced my body weight on my knees...I focussed on my leg muscles, especially on my thigh muscles and it worked wonders, it was fantastic! Within a couple minutes my knee-pain went away and running was enjoyable again. Pain! Ha, take that! I can deal even with you :)

I know I must be careful though and I shouldn't push it too much - but I just knew that my knee is just not used to this and I should learn to run correctly.
I was sweating like a pig, but it was worth it. The air was perfect! Fresh, right after/during the rain and so clean :) I ran with dandlelions, and all sorts of flowers next to me, I jumped over little snails and rainworms that crawled along the way...over branches and rocks...it was lovely! Almost like a little trail-run :) I paid attention to some other paths along the way so I'll be able to vary the next one a bit. I will remember this path because I barely saw any people along the way...I love to run like that - all alone with my thoughts and ideas. It's just my feet on the path, my thoughts floating freely, nature around me and this
wonderful feeling of contentment...when I run I know everything will be alright, when I run I am balanced within, when I run I find myself in ways I didn't find before. I can't believe I am saying all this, but I think I have honestly found a new passion. It's still tough at times...but I know that the day will come when even these little problems will be gone :) 
So yes, tomorrow I'll be able to rest *yay* and then I'll run again on Sunday. My plan is to run every second day...a rest day in between (or a light workout/yoga session) and increasing my k's each week...I shouldn't overdo it I know, but I'll be careful. Though I must admit...I'll push myself as long as I can :)

In 11 days I've got my next run lined up. The Dortmund university run (5k) - I'd love to do this one in under 30 minutes...I saw the run online and it seems to be pretty flat, so it might be possible. My first run was 00:32:02 and it was very hilly...maybe I can save a couple minutes because of that. I'd love to try this out! My uni run in June will be tougher though, I heard that the last big part is pretty much just uphill (especially the last bit, ugh!) but that doesn't mean I can't tackle it...I just shouldn't expect myself to beat my hopefully new best time. If I can run under 30 minutes in 11 days in a flat area, I might not be able to beat that in a superhilly area. So if I can only get under 30 minutes on June 6 I'm more than pleased with that result :)
During tonight's run I also sprinted a bit in between, not as much as the other day because I had to be a bit more careful due to my knee whining ;) but the last 200m I just raced home...haha, it was awesome! The adrenaline in my body fueled me so much that I just jumped up the stairs afterwards...crazy person, I know.

I also had some really good meals today, which I enjoyed a lot! My breakfast consisted out of 2 scrambled eggs, 1 pear, 1 sliced kiwi, a handful of nuts (not roasted, not salted) and a couple baby carrots - it was so delicious and fueling. 

I had orange juice with half part water and the juice of a lemon with it, best combo ever! 

And then I had potatoes with chicken fillet, I fried this with a bit of olive oil, garlic, onions and fresh tomatoes...it was really yummy :)

I am also trying to drink at least between 2-3 litres of water a day, sometimes it works, sometimes not...but in all cases I am getting at least 2l. Soon I'll also add green tea to my drinking habit again, I found this awesome online shop where they offer a lot of fair trade products and I found a great green tea as well. Will order it soon! I also found (finally!) Tahini - the one extra ingredient for a successful hummus. Yipieh! I'll make my very own hummus sometime within the next weeks and this was missing :) Can't wait to try it out!

So yes...looks like I am getting more and more into this new-found habit. I do have a choice, yes, but I am feeling really good with this :) I am not even planning to drink too much tomorrow night, I'd rather enjoy some good food and dance the night away. So tomorrow might be my 'cheat-night' - my dad and his girlfriend are sucker's for good food ;) Which doesn't necessary mean it's healthy, but I'll see what I can choose from.
So yes, that's it for today really! I am going to read a bit in bed and then finally get some sleep so I can be fit for work tomorrow.
Today I went grocery shopping as well (best workout: Bring only 2 bags with you and then CARRY everything home...best workout for your shoulders and arms...trust me!) And so my fridge is filled with good stuff (shrimp, lean meat, peppers, asparagus), I also bought bananas, kiwis, more pears and lemons, whole grain bread, aubergine, potatoes and tomatoes...and yes...a tiny bar of chocolate as well, I admit it :) But only for the little treats in between ;) I just can't help it...chocolate and I...we are like...you know...married :D
So yip - time to hit the pillows! May you all have a lovely, fun-filled weekend...and to the ones that have to work as well: Keep your head up! We'll make it through and once we get our paycheck we'll see why we did that ;)


Good night everyone,


your Janners!